Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.
This past Sabbath was communion. I love communion and especially the foot washing done prior to the actual communion. It has always been so meaningful to me. Thinking about all aspects of it, contemplating every part, I always draw out or hear something that expands my thoughts and understanding.
A couple of years ago a friend gave me a gift of a towel for Christmas with a writing talking about the towel. I loved it but felt it was not meant to have anything to do with Christmas. I tried to find who the author was and found no specific name linked to it, but there were various versions out there. I decided to edit it just a bit to make it fit better with the foot washing ceremony. Then I began to toss around ways to use it. This past Sabbath I finally came up with a way.
When setting up the foot washing room for the ladies, as well as the couples room, we placed on the back of each chair a towel, the basin underneath with water in it, and carefully on each seat a simple white towel with the writing wrapped around it and tied on with Jute along with a small Kleenex package that said “Always Pray & Never Give Up” Luke 18:1”. For the devotion beginning the ceremony the writing “The Towel” was read. The whole ceremony was so moving and gave all something to think about.
One new thing I thought of was this, Jesus washing the feet of His disciples was like washing away all the dirt, muck, and sin so they could be clean to walk the path to righteousness with Christ. There is so much more I could say. What thoughts do you have when you contemplate Jesus being a servant and washing the feet of His disciples? Spend time on that thought. Practice being a servant. Follow His teaching.